Dr. Walcher clarifies further, “the difference between the education of an MD and that of a chiropractor lies in the fact that an MD trains in pharmacology and surgical procedures and a chiropractor trains in the care of the spine. Chiropractic focuses on the spinal column in the human body where all of the nerves originate. The spine is designed to protect the nerves in the body. From here the nerves go out to every muscle, organ, and tissue in the entire body. The healthier the nerves meaning the freer they are to function correctly, the healthier the entire body will be.”

It is undeniable that most people can benefit greatly by seeing a San Diego Chiropractic professional-from infancy to adulthood. For an athlete, however, it can mean the difference between winning and losing, especially if they want to avoid injury and continue to achieve optimal athletic performance throughout their lives.

Chiropractic is the philosophy, art and science that concerning the restoration of optimal health by maintaining a correctly functioning nervous system. Spinal issues can occur from automobile accidents, bad posture, improper lifting, sleeping or sitting habits. Even the simple act of sneezing can cause the vertebra to become misaligned. Regular adjustments from your San Diego Chiropractic physician will allow your body to do what it has always naturally done-promote vitality, strengthen and heal itself, without surgery or drugs.

Football athletes, however, consistently suffer from physical stress from sudden falls and hard-hitting jars, causing subluxations of the spine. Subluxations are a slight dislocation or malfunctioning spinal column which disturb and irritate blood vessels and nerve roots that branch out of the vertebrae. The San Diego Sports Injuries Chiropractor will manipulate these spineal subluxations back into position. Additional physical therapy may be required if there are injured tendons, joints, muscles and ligaments.

Athletes who see San Diego Chiropractors on a routine basis enjoy increased performance. Speedier recoveries are an added benefit when Sports Injuries do occur. Studies show that reaction time is ramped up by as much as 16.7 percent for the well-adjusted athlete, to those who do not have regular spinal adjustments. Just ask Tiger Woods. He states he has been seeing his Chiropractor throughout his entire life when he swings his clubs the wrong way.

Compare an athlete’s body to that of a well-oiled, sleek racecar versus a sedan. Although the sedan needs routine maintenance checks, the racecar is going to need special care and recurrent tune-ups to continue to perform favorably. When the athlete’s spine is finely tuned and in complete alignment, every piston is firing perfectly.

Whether it is on or off-season, athletes use chiropractic care extensively for that competitive advantage and edge, before they suffer numerous Sports Injuries to their spine. Chiropractors and the world of sports make the perfect team.

Chiropractors were once thought of as charlatans at best, and classified as members of a diabolical cult at worst. After losing an anti-trust case in 1987 the American Medical Association changed its stance and classified Chiropractic treatments as an alternative medicine.

Chiropractic treatments are based on the theory of subluxations. In lamens terms subluxations are misaligned vertebrae, or joints that have become stuck reducing their range of motion. Pain and stiffness is the result of neurological impingement, or pressure caused by the subluxation. The theory also indicates that various diseases and maladies from headaches to asthma may occur if the subluxations persist over long periods of time without being corrected.

Chiropractic treatments, known as adjustments, are given after the initial evaluation of the patient. The evaluation often includes x-rays in addition to a physical examination. Normal courses of treatment include two or three adjustments per week until the condition improves. The entire treatment often incorporates a regime of rest, heat, ice, and physical therapy. As the condition improves patients usually receive “monthly adjustments” to maintain normal function.

Patients report varied levels of success ranging from temporarily reduced back and neck pain, to significant relief of migraines, and other headaches. Overall the effects seem consistent with other medical treatments including prescription drugs. Chiropractic treatments appear to be safe with local discomfort in the affected area the most common side effect. Most patients seek Chiropractic therapy as an alternative to prescription drugs, or surgical solutions. Some patients seek relief when standardized medical solutions have no effect on their condition.

Caution and careful consultation should be sought prior to receiving cervical adjustments.

People who suffer from back pain, leg pain, excessive weakness in the legs, and abnormal functions of the lower extremities are often diagnosed with a herniated disc. The question is – exactly what is a herniated disc, and how is it determined if this is causing the symptoms?

An intervertebral disc is made up of an outer, fibrous ring, and a central soft portion. The disc itself receives nourishment through the motion of the vertebrae above and below it moving and “squishing” the blood and fluids through the disc. If this movement does not occur, the outer ring can dry and tear which allows the soft portion of the disc to bulge out. This is what is commonly known as a herniated disc. (Also called a slipped disc, bulging disc, disc protrusion, etc.)

Not all herniated discs cause pain or discomfort. It is when the bulge puts pressure on the exiting spinal nerve that pain, or an inflammatory reaction, will occur. It is therefore very important to have a full understanding of what is causing the pain.

What is Subluxation?

Another term important to understand in the diagnosis of a herniated disc is subluxation. Subluxation is when one or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) move out of position. The result can be a herniated disc. If this creates pressure on spinal nerves, problems will result. This pressure or irritation on the nerves causes the nerves to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over those nerves.

Symptoms can be one or more of the following:

• Pain spreading over the buttocks, down the back of one thigh, and into the calf
• Pain may be in one leg (more common) or both legs
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both arms
• In severe cases, inability to find comfort even lying down
• Sudden aching or twisted neck that cannot be straightened without severe pain
• Bowel or bladder changes and/or numbness in the groin

Treatment

Treatments for a herniated can range from physical therapy, to anti-inflammatory medication, to cortisone shots to surgery. Because back surgery is extremely invasive, and because surgery is not always totally successful in correcting the problem, it would be wise to seek out the services of a doctor of chiropractic first. Before resorting to a surgical approach, it just makes good sense to try a more conservative procedure.

A doctor of chiropractic is trained to locate subluxations, and reduce or correct them. This can be accomplished through a series of chiropractic adjustments designed to correct the vertebral subluxations in your spine. Chiropractors are the only professionals who undergo years of training to be experts at correcting subluxations. There are methods to decompress the vertebrae which allow the disc the ability to heal itself.

Early Diagnosis

Be aware that few treatments – even chiropractic treatment – can make up for years of abuse and neglect of spinal health that many people endure. Poor nutrition, poor posture, lack of proper exercise, and even incorrect lifting methods are among the many ways the spine suffers abuse.

Early diagnosis and conservative treatment is the best way to begin correcting the pain suffered from a herniated disc. And the chiropractic approach is an excellent first choice for extended pain relief and for a healthier spine in the future!

“You don’t have to be an astronaut or a world-class athlete to want your body operating efficiently. This technology will allow us to have a greater impact on the overall health of our community,” said Personalized Chiropractic’s Dr. Robert Walcher.

The Insight Discovery Subluxation Station was developed by Chiropractic Leadership Alliance (CLA), a New Jersey-based company, and has been certified by The Space Foundation, a non-profit agency founded in cooperation with NASA. The Insight allows chiropractors to scan their patients’ neurospinal health. These scans easily and accurately identify areas of nerve interference that may be preventing one’s nervous system from operating efficiently. When one’s nervous system is functioning at peak capacity, the human body has more energy, a greater resistance to disease and less need for pain. Once pinpointed via the technology, chiropractic adjustments are then utilized to remove the area(s) of nerve disruption.

NASA used an earlier version of sEMG technology on two shuttle missions—STS48 and STS50—to evaluate the physical attributes of astronauts. The space agency and CLA were recently praised on Capitol Hill for introducing this technology to the general public.

“Lost in the romanticism of space travel is NASA’s development of technologies that are changing – if not saving – lives,” stated Representative Nick Lampson (D-TX), who leads the effort to increase government funding for space exploration and scientific technology development.

Personalized Chiropractic’s investment comes at a time when chiropractic’s popularity is rising while an over-medicated public has become wary of the pharmaceutical industry.

“We can now offer proof as to the need for care and the progress that one make while under care. The short story is, we’re changing lives,” concluded Walcher.

Remember the days of school lockers in the halls where students could keep their books and supplies until they needed them? Those days are long gone and replaced by heavier books and more supplies being the burden of families since school cuts have crippled classrooms nationwide. The biggest problem with these new demands on students are health concerns related to carrying heavy backpacks.

Research published in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics found that students carrying excessive weight in their backpacks may develop long-term back pain and other serious health conditions including numbness of the shoulder, muscle spasms and posture deterioration.

“Loose straps, slinging the backpack over one shoulder instead of properly worn, to item overload – these common misuses cause a shift and will require an altered posture to compensate for the extra load.” advises local wellness expert and Chiropractor, Dr. Robert Walcher of Personalized Chiropractic.

Research suggests limiting bag weights to no more than five to 10 percent of body weight and to making sure one accurately positions the bag for even weight distribution. This can significantly decrease the risks of spinal and neck injuries and discomfort.

“A backpack may not seem like it would affect posture or mobility. However, over time, especially 5 days out of the week, the weight takes its toll and can lead to a greater potential for injury.” adds Dr. Walcher.

Parents must realize that turning backpacks into personal portable lockers has now proven to be detrimental to students’ health. So how do parents keep their kids from being at greater risk for backpack-related injuries?

1. Choose backpacks with multiple compartments. This design can effectively position and distribute weight while providing students with alternative storage options.
2. Choose backpacks with wheels.
3. Find out if you child can have access to the books they need at school in the library or media center.

To get more information or to schedule an informative segment/interview on the backpack safety, student wellness and injury prevention from Dr. Walcher, contact Michele at Personalized Chiropractic 858-866-3345.

Dr. Robert Walcher of Personalized Chiropractic is empowering the community to live a healthier life with 5 easy steps to wellness and stress relief.

San Diego, CA-July 21, 2011 - Dr. Robert Walcher isn’t your typical wellness expert. He likes to listen to a little Katy Perry, brings lunch to local businesses at no cost to them and talks to employees about the importance of decreasing stress on the job. Why? He is committed to people being happier, healthier, more productive employees and to breaking the stigma attached to the chiropractic care field.

“I have heard people say that chiropractors are always after patients of workman’s compensation claims. In actuality, chiropractic care is part of a total wellness and preventative care approach. I aim to decrease the number of employees getting injured and suffering from pain due to stress on the job or in their personal lives.” Dr. Walcher explains.

Dr. Walcher has devoted his career to providing care to individuals holistically which enables them to function more effectively and enjoy health and well-being through a program that includes diet, exercise and chiropractic care. Going into his office in Pacific Beach is only one aspect to taking care of your body by ensuring a healthy spine. The rest is up to the individual to implement easy yet affective ways to gain some ground towards a healthier lifestyle.

5 Easy Tips to Wellness and Stress Relief:

1. Move It or Lose It-Getting up and getting out of your house and out of over-thinking will relieve anxiety and get much needed blood flow and oxygen into your system.
2. Don’t Stress Your Body Out-Stretch It Out-Stretching has a multitude of benefits, including pain relief, increased energy, greater flexibility and range of motion, and improved posture. Set aside 10 minutes each night for stretching exercises.
3. Mama Told You So- That old saying “Sit up straight” is an important piece of advice. Good posture can relieves stress on the neck and spine that causes headaches and fatigue.
4. Cure Boredom with a Board Game-Don’t underestimate the power of laughter and unplugging from the TV or computer for a board game. Giving your mind a break from the digital images and information that it is being bombarded with day in and day out is essential. If not a board game, take a walk, meditate, turn on music without lyrics, and just give your mind a break.
5. Give it a Rest-Americans are getting less and less sleep these days. Get away from late nights at the office or tweeting and get back to a pattern of getting the rest your mind and body needs to rejuvenate.

With employer costs reaching into the millions of dollars each year with a high percentage being related to stress, it’s no wonder alternative means of living a healthy lifestyle is becoming more popular. The San Diego Police Department just announced the implementation of a department wide wellness program and the Fire Department has an effective wellness program that has been in place for 5 years. These programs, and by having wellness experts speak to employees, opens up a whole new way for business to get funding and grants for employee wellness programs.

To get more information on the methods and techniques for living a healthier life that Dr. Walcher offers, or to schedule an interview or consultation with computerized Stress Analysis, contact Personalized Chiropractic at 858.866.3345 or VERB Entertainment Group at 760-579-1032. www.personalizedchiropractic.com

In my practice as a San Diego Chiropractor, I take the overall health of my patients very seriously.

If it’s going around, you’re pretty sure your kids are going to get it, because they are in a daycare setting.